Path 2

Path 2

Is Todd P “Getting His Own Place”?

August 21, 2009

Depends on who you ask. NPR says yes, and pegs the opening date to this fall:

Lately, Todd P has been spending a fair amount of time on the phone with lawyers. He’s negotiating with investors so he can get a fully legit rock club up and running. While some may suggest that he’s somehow selling out, he says his reasons are practical. The more attention his unauthorized shows get, the greater the chance that they could be shut down. Patrick says this hasn’t happened yet, although he has received summonses. But he also wants to reach more people, specifically teenagers who feel the way he did when he was growing up — alienated and alone.

Late last year, Patrick tried to open a proper, permanent venue–the Llano Estacado, a loft space in Williamsburg–but the police shut it down after just a few shows. Financial difficulties and disputes with his partners have temporarily derailed his plans to try again, though he’s eyeing a medium-sized space in Long Island City. In the meantime, he supports himself by renting practice spaces to bands in the Llano Estacado building while promoting his shows elsewhere. No day job. “I probably make less money than 90 percent of the people who come to my shows,” he says.

It’s been generally understood that Patrick has wanted his own venue for a long, long while now. The question is, is he any closer in 2009 than he was three years ago? Unclear. We’ve reached out to the occasionally elusive promoter, and will of course update should we hear anything back.